EXCLUSIVE: Tom Fletcher's book 'The Christmasaurus' to be made into a film - and it has Hugh Jackman's seal of approval

This morning we were invited to the launch of Tom Fletcher’s newest book, and first novel, ‘The Christmasaurus’, and we have to admit that we weren’t quite prepared for what followed – which genuinely included cameo appearances from Hollywood actors Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron.

After talking us through the synopsis of his heartfelt book, which is released on Thursday, the McFly frontman dropped a rather huge clanger by announcing that it was already being turned into an animated, musical film with bigshot director, Michael Gracey, and they even had the concept art to show us and a couple of songs to perform.

Tom is going to Hollywood

Ahh.

Unfortunately, Michael Gracey was busy in New York filming his latest movie, but he did send a video message about his involvement with the film, which was promptly interrupted by actors Hugh and Zac, who gatecrashed the video to reinforce just how bloomin’ good ‘The Christmasaurus’ is.

Confirming that he had heard a couple of the songs already, X-Men star, Hugh Jackman, said to the camera: “The songs are great, I’ve heard them.

‘The Christmasaurus’ is Tom’s first full-length novel

“They’re very catchy.”

Speaking exclusively to Tom after the launch, we asked how it felt to have such a huge Hollywood seal of approval, and the star told us: “I couldn’t believe that, it’s so cool.

“Michael was meant to be here today but everything has gone rapidly for him so he couldn’t be, but it’s okay… If you have to be somewhere else than filming with Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron is a good excuse.

Michael Gracey, pictured here with Zac Efron, is directing

“He’s an incredible director, so we are really lucky to have him on board.”

Tom went on to add that he always thought that ‘The Christmasaurus’ would make a great film but he hoped to maintain some creative control by writing the book first.

He explained: “I love writing, so my natural place to go is to a book because I am in charge of it. Making a film requires many more people on board, so when I have ideas for stories – even though I can see them as a film – I tend to write them as a book first because you get your vision into it.

“If you have a real passion for it you feel like it’s your baby, it’s really difficult letting it go.”

And Tom was also keen to reassure his fans that dipping his feet into the movie industry didn’t mean that it was the end of McFly, in fact, they’re going to be around for a long ol’ time yet.

After joking that his bandmates were going to play elves in the film, Tom shared: “For us, it feels like McFly is forever. It is the constant.

“We have all of these other projects but McFly is the one thing that we will never go away – in a good way! It’s always there for us and it’s always where our hearts lay.

“It’s nice now there’s no pressure for us to write an album every year; we can do it when it feels right for us. Because of McBusted it had been a long time since we did anything just the four of us and I think that people kind of get it now that we’ll always be around.

McFly just completed an intimate sold-out tour

“On tour we had people coming who had been there from day one and kind of grown up with us, and they’re bringing their kids along… And then there are 13 year olds screaming and crying like it used to be, and it’s so weird because when did they discover McFly?

“They were born in the year when ‘5 Colours In Her Hair’ came out, that’s so weird – how did they discover us? It’s exciting for us as a band.”

And we have to admit that we are excited to see what Tom, and the rest of McFly, do next – because judging by ‘The Christmasaurus’ it’s going to be amazing.